KARACHI: Health experts have told that blindness is one percent in general population in Pakistan, of them 60 percent case are of cataract and 20 percent of it needs world most latest FLACS to treat this disease. Blindness due to cataract is completely treatable but patient start losing vision if not treated.
Femtosecond Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS) is now being done successfully in Pakistan with much better results. There is also need to create this surgery awareness among eye specialists so they should select most deserving patient and do proper counseling.
They were speaking at a pre-conference workshop on FLACS held at Hashmanis Clifton Centre. This was organized by Ophthalmology Society of Pakistan (OSP) and Hashmanis Hospital as part of the three-day 39th Karophth & First Pak Cornea Conference being held on August 3-5 here at a local hotel. This mega event is being organized by the OSP Karachi from August 2-5 2018 at a local hotel here. Theme of the conference is “Recent Advances in Ophthalmology”.
Speakers included Prof. Major General Mazhar Ishaq, renowned eye surgeon Dr. Sharif Hashmani, Dr. Aamir Israr, Dr. Qasim Lateef, President Elect OSP Dr. Qazi Wasiq, Dr. Misbah Aziz and others. Dr. Sharif Hashmani was coordinator of workshop while Dr. Misbah Aziz moderated the session. CEO Hashmanis Group of Hospital Arsalan Hashmani was also present.
Delivering his presentation Dr. Sharif Hashmani told that this workshop was aimed to enhance skills of eye specialists and junior doctors and aware them about new laser cataract surgery technique introduced in Pakistan. “This technology is even being used by few people in the world. There is need to educated our eye specialists about FLACS. They should select deserving patients for this surgery as it is the most successful intervention to treat cataract so far. Only 20 percent cataract patients qualify to get this surgery who want to see the world better,” he added.
Dr. Qazi Wasiq thanked Hashmanis hospital for hosting this workshop and termed it very useful for ophthalmologists and juniors. “Laser treatment of cataract is called FLACS which is successfully being done at Hashmanis hospital in Karachi which is commendable. It is the latest technology also being used in Lahore and Rawalpindi. Patient can get rid of spectacles’ numbers by availing this surgery and it is very safe too,” he told.
He informed that there is one percent blindness in general population of our country, 60 percent of them are cataract patients and 20 percent of it requires FLACS. Such blindness is treatable which can cause loss of vision if not treated.
Dr. Misbah Aziz said that this new laser surgery is very successful as compared to other previously used traditional operations and its use is being increased. This is yielding better outcome and provide patient with almost natural vision.
Inaugural Ceremony of this conference will be held tomorrow (Friday) at local hotel here. Prof. Saeed Ahmed Qureshi, Vice Chancellor, Dow University of Health Sciences will be chief guest and artist Anwar Maqsood will be guest of honor on this occasion.
Live surgery workshops will be held at Aga Khan University Hospital and Hashmani’s Eye Hospital Clifton Karachi. Scientific papers, research studies, and lectures on important topics of latest advancement in ophthalmology by renowned ophthalmologists will be presented during back to back sessions for three days during the conference. It will be a great opportunity for young ophthalmologists to enhance their skills and knowledge.
In total 24 Interactive Courses and 29 symposiums will be held during the entire event, covering all aspects of ophthalmology. Ten renowned speakers from overseas and 150 national speakers will share their experiences, knowledge and skills.
Subspecialty first Cornea Conference of Pakistan will also be held during the conference. A grand scientific exhibition will also be held parallel to this conference, where in leading ophthalmic pharmaceutical and allied industry will display ophthalmological equipment and Instruments.
Discussions and community awareness programs on different issues like prevention of blindness, eye banking and eye donation movement will also be hosted. All these awareness programs are being organized to educate the masses, so the role of media becomes very important to disseminate these messages as a community service. PR
